Manchester City vs Burnley Predictions

• City have kept eight clean sheets in their last ten Premier League games against Burnley
• Pep Guardiola’s side have won six of their last seven matches at the Etihad
• Three of Burnley’s last four matches have been level at half-time

City are just getting into their groove

Manchester City will have been desperate for a fast start to the season after faltering in their pursuit of Liverpool last term and the signs of a strong recovery did not look good when they suffered consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton.

However, they look to have got back in their groove with a 3-0 win over Manchester United that could easily have been even more comprehensive and then they got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over Serie A winners Napoli.

A late Gabriel Martinelli goal meant they had to settle for a draw against Arsenal, but things are definitely moving in the right direction, Erling Haaland is in the goals and the Citizens look to be forming the foundations of a strong push, all of which is bad news for Saturday’s visitors Burnley.

Clarets face a huge obstacle

The Clarets came up from the Championship on the basis of their strong defensive record and while they came close to earning something in their 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, this looks to be a much tougher test.

Scott Parker’s side were undone by a late penalty against champions Liverpool a fortnight ago, but that was at Turf Moor where they had already beaten Sunderland and a strong home record will be essential if they are to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

They were given an harsh reintroduction to the top flight when they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Tottenham on the opening weekend and we could see a similar scenario play out at City.

Burnley have managed to score in just two of their last ten meetings with City and after pep Guardiola’s side did not concede against either United or Napoli, having been boosted by signing arguably the world’s best goalkeeper in Gianluigi Donnarunna, the home side can win again without conceding, with correct-score enthusiasts pointed towards a 3-0 City win

Reijinders can burst through for another goal

Plenty of fantasy football players will be looking for Haaland to fill his boots this week and it would be a surprise if the prolific Norwegian did not get on the scoresheet, but Tijjani Reijnders may provide some greater value in the anytime-goalscorer market.

The Dutchman was highly impressive when he scored on his debut in City’s 4-0 opening win at Wolves and there should be opportunities for him to burst forward against a defence who could be shown just how different life is in the top flight compared to the Championship.